A rare piece of Japanese whisky history has found a place on the drinks list at Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, where a single dram now carries a price tag of £2,300.
The Asian-inspired eatery, created by Gordon Ramsay, opened last year in London’s 22 Bishopsgate as a high-rise dining destination blending fine cuisine with an ambitious bar programme. Among its most notable offerings is Shirakawa 1958, a single malt from the long-demolished Shirakawa Distillery in Fukushima Prefecture, around 200km north of Tokyo.
Built in 1939, the distillery was among Japan’s early adopters of malt whisky production, operating between 1951 and 1969 before ultimately closing in 2003. For decades, much of its output went into blends produced by its owner, Takara Shuzo.
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival…
From forgotten casks to fine dining
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival. The spirit was distilled in 1958, matured in cask, and later transferred into ceramic jars before being moved into stainless steel tanks at a Takara Shuzo facility in Kyushu following the distillery’s closure.
There it remained, largely forgotten, until 2019, when Tomatin Distillery managing director Stephen Bremner traced its existence through company archives and inventory.
While precise details of its ageing regime remain unclear, the whisky dates from a period when Japanese distillers commonly used domestic barley and matured spirit in Mizunara oak casks, known for imparting distinctive aromatic qualities.
Bottled at 49% ABV by Takara Shuzo, Shirakawa 1958 is understood to be the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever released, and the only official single malt from the distillery.
Shirakawa 1958 whisky tasting notes
Supplied tasting notes point to a complex and evolving character. On the nose, the whisky offers resinous notes, dry earth and dried citrus peel, with a waxy undertone; a splash of water reveals added vibrancy and a hint of exotic incense.
The palate is described as expansive and succulent, with fragrant grass and emerging fruit, layered with spice and dryness. Water introduces a suggestion of ash from an incense burner, alongside a lively acidity. The finish is long and balanced, with persistent mint and camphor-like notes.
Just 1,500 bottles of Shirakawa 1958 were released globally in 2022, with a recommended retail price of £25,000 per bottle.
At Lucky Cat, it’s available by the dram at £2,300, offering diners a rare opportunity to experience a fragment of Japan’s early whisky-making history.
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a 31 Year Old single malt, the distillery’s oldest peated whisky to date. The new expression takes its name from the challenging trail between Inversnaid and Inverarnan on the north-east shores of the loch. The route forms one of the more demanding sections of the West Highland Way, passing through…
Bowmore has joined forces with design studio Snarkitecture for a pair of 20 Year Old single malts. This is Snarkitecture’s first venture into whisky; the design studio is better known for its experimental, arty approach to architecture. Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic…
After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive. Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been…
The Luxe Review 
A rare piece of Japanese whisky history has found a place on the drinks list at Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, where a single dram now carries a price tag of £2,300.
The Asian-inspired eatery, created by Gordon Ramsay, opened last year in London’s 22 Bishopsgate as a high-rise dining destination blending fine cuisine with an ambitious bar programme. Among its most notable offerings is Shirakawa 1958, a single malt from the long-demolished Shirakawa Distillery in Fukushima Prefecture, around 200km north of Tokyo.
Built in 1939, the distillery was among Japan’s early adopters of malt whisky production, operating between 1951 and 1969 before ultimately closing in 2003. For decades, much of its output went into blends produced by its owner, Takara Shuzo.
From forgotten casks to fine dining
What makes this expression remarkable is both its provenance and its survival. The spirit was distilled in 1958, matured in cask, and later transferred into ceramic jars before being moved into stainless steel tanks at a Takara Shuzo facility in Kyushu following the distillery’s closure.
There it remained, largely forgotten, until 2019, when Tomatin Distillery managing director Stephen Bremner traced its existence through company archives and inventory.
While precise details of its ageing regime remain unclear, the whisky dates from a period when Japanese distillers commonly used domestic barley and matured spirit in Mizunara oak casks, known for imparting distinctive aromatic qualities.
Bottled at 49% ABV by Takara Shuzo, Shirakawa 1958 is understood to be the earliest single vintage Japanese whisky ever released, and the only official single malt from the distillery.
Shirakawa 1958 whisky tasting notes
Supplied tasting notes point to a complex and evolving character. On the nose, the whisky offers resinous notes, dry earth and dried citrus peel, with a waxy undertone; a splash of water reveals added vibrancy and a hint of exotic incense.
The palate is described as expansive and succulent, with fragrant grass and emerging fruit, layered with spice and dryness. Water introduces a suggestion of ash from an incense burner, alongside a lively acidity. The finish is long and balanced, with persistent mint and camphor-like notes.
Just 1,500 bottles of Shirakawa 1958 were released globally in 2022, with a recommended retail price of £25,000 per bottle.
At Lucky Cat, it’s available by the dram at £2,300, offering diners a rare opportunity to experience a fragment of Japan’s early whisky-making history.
Loch Lomond unveils its oldest peated single malt whisky to date, 31 years in the making
Loch Lomond Whiskies has unveiled a 31 Year Old single malt, the distillery’s oldest peated whisky to date. The new expression takes its name from the challenging trail between Inversnaid and Inverarnan on the north-east shores of the loch. The route forms one of the more demanding sections of the West Highland Way, passing through…
Bowmore takes whisky lovers on sherry and oak journey with 20 Year Old Captivo Collection
Bowmore has joined forces with design studio Snarkitecture for a pair of 20 Year Old single malts. This is Snarkitecture’s first venture into whisky; the design studio is better known for its experimental, arty approach to architecture. Co-founder Alex Mustonen travelled from New York to Islay, drawing inspiration from the island’s landscape and Bowmore’s historic…
Hibiki 12 Year Old Japanese whisky returns after an 11 year absence but you’ll have to fly to get one
After an 11-year absence, Hibiki 12 Years Old is returning to airport shelves as a new Global Travel Retail whisky exclusive. Duty-free is increasingly becoming a happy hunting ground for limited editions and hard-to-find whisky releases. A new entry on our wants-list is this Hibiki 12 Years Old, particularly notable as the expression has been…
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